“Never.” That is Ebrahim Azizi’s response to whether Iran will give up control of the Strait of Hormuz. A former IRGC commander and head of parliament’s Committee for National Security and Foreign Policy, Azizi told the BBC in Tehran that control of the strait is “our inalienable right” and that “Iran will decide the right of passage, including permissions for vessels to pass through the Strait.”
He said MPs are preparing a bill under article 110 of the constitution covering the environment, maritime safety and national security, which the armed forces would enforce. As the world fears economic disruption if the strait is closed, Tehran treats its influence over the waterway as a long-term strategic lever, not just a short-term bargaining chip. “The first priority for Iran after the war is to restore deterrence and the Strait of Hormuz is among Iran’s principal strategic leverages,” said Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at the University of Tehran. Tehran, he added, is “open to discussing how other nations can benefit from Iran’s new framework for the strait, but control is the bottom line.”
Hardliners dominate the parliament and the IRGC has been centralised in decision-making after a series of assassinations in Israeli strikes. Azizi described the strait as “one of our assets to face the enemy” and framed Iran’s posture as defending rights against what he called American blackmail.
Iran’s neighbours have reacted angrily. Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, called Iran’s actions “an act of hostile piracy” and warned that asserting control over international waters would set a dangerous precedent. Oman, which controls the southern coast of the strait and is one of Iran’s few regional partners, has been involved in talks with Tehran aimed at ensuring safe transit.
There are signs of tension within Iran’s elite. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted that the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open,” prompting immediate rebukes from IRGC-linked outlets and state media. They said his statement risked giving the US political victory. Araghchi later clarified that the waterway is open only to vessels authorised by the IRGC navy and through designated routes, with tolls required.
Azizi dismissed the idea of internal rifts on national security, saying “there are no moderate or hardline approaches.” He would not say when restrictions would be lifted, only that they would be removed “when it is safe and secure” so the enemy cannot exploit the opening.
Washington has pressed Tehran to reopen the corridor. Former US President Donald Trump publicly ordered Iran to open the strait and has accused Tehran of trying to “blackmail” the US. A White House official told the BBC that a delegation, to be led again by US Vice-President JD Vance, will travel for talks. Iranian officials have not confirmed whether their delegation, led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will return to talks in Pakistan; local reports suggest Iran may stay away while a US blockade of Iranian ports remains.
I also asked Azizi about arrests and recent death sentences for protesters detained during January’s nationwide protests, which rights groups say were crushed with lethal force. He repeated Tehran’s claims that US and Israeli intelligence agencies were involved in unrest and defended the government’s security measures, saying, “In war, even in a ceasefire, there are rules.”
The BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet is reporting from Tehran on condition that none of her material is used on the BBC’s Persian Service. These restrictions apply to all international media organisations operating in Iran.
